Dual antenna integrated carrier aggregation front end solution

ABSTRACT

Radio frequency front end circuitry comprises a first antenna port, a second antenna port, antenna switching circuitry, a first diplexer, and a second diplexer. The antenna switching circuitry is coupled to each of the first antenna port and the second antenna port through the first diplexer and the second diplexer, respectively. The antenna switching circuitry is adapted to selectively couple one or more of a plurality of transmit and receive ports to the first antenna port and the second antenna port.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent applicationSer. No. 61/660,969, filed Jun. 18, 2012, and provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/789,007, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to front end circuitry for use in amobile device. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to front endcircuitry for use in a mobile device with two or more antennas usingcarrier aggregation.

BACKGROUND

Modern mobile telecommunications standards continue to demandincreasingly greater rates of data exchange (data rates). One way toachieve a high data rate in a mobile device is through the use ofcarrier aggregation. Carrier aggregation allows a single mobile deviceto aggregate bandwidth across one or more operating bands in thewireless spectrum. The increased bandwidth achieved as a result ofcarrier aggregation allows a mobile device to obtain higher data ratesthan have previously been available.

FIG. 1 shows a table describing a number of wireless communicationsbands in the wireless spectrum. One or more of the wirelesscommunications bands may be used, for example, in a CDMA, GSM, LTE, orLTE-advanced equipped mobile device. The first column indicates theoperating band number for each one of the operating bands. The secondand third columns indicate the uplink and downlink frequency bands foreach one of the operating bands, respectively. Finally, the fourthcolumn indicates the duplex mode for each one of the operating bands. Innon-carrier aggregation configurations, a mobile device will generallycommunicate using a single portion of the uplink or downlink frequencybands within a single operating band. In carrier aggregationapplications, however, a mobile device may aggregate bandwidth across asingle operating band or multiple operating bands in order to increasethe data rate of the device.

FIG. 2A shows a diagram representing a conventional, non-carrieraggregation configuration for a mobile device. In the conventionalconfiguration, a mobile device communicates using a single portion ofthe wireless spectrum 10 within a single operating band 12. Under theconventional approach, the data rate of the mobile device is constrainedby the limited available bandwidth.

FIGS. 2B-2D show diagrams representing a variety of carrier aggregationconfigurations for a mobile device. FIG. 2B shows an example ofcontiguous, intra-band carrier aggregation, in which the aggregatedportions of the wireless spectrum 14A and 14B are located directlyadjacent to one another and are in the same operating band 16. FIG. 2Cshows an example of non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregation, inwhich the aggregated portions of the wireless spectrum 18A and 18B arelocated within the same operating band 20, but are not directly adjacentto one another. Finally, FIG. 2D shows an example of inter-band carrieraggregation, in which the aggregated portions of the wireless spectrum22A and 22B are located in different operating bands 24, 26. A modernmobile device should be capable of supporting each one of the previouslydescribed carrier aggregation configurations.

The use of carrier aggregation may pose unique problems for the frontend circuitry in a mobile device. For instance, a mobile device usingcarrier aggregation may require two or more antennas. The use of morethan one antenna may complicate the design of the front-end switchingcircuitry within the mobile device. Additionally, the use of carrieraggregation across certain operating bands may cause undesirableinterference between transmit and receive circuitry in a mobile devicefront end that renders the mobile device unusable in these operatingbands.

FIG. 3 shows conventional front end circuitry 28 for use in a mobileterminal. The front end circuitry 28 includes antenna switchingcircuitry 30, a diplexer 32, and an antenna 34. The antenna switchingcircuitry 30 includes low band switching circuitry 36 and high bandswitching circuitry 38. The low band switching circuitry 36 is adaptedto couple one of a first plurality of RF front end ports 40 to theantenna 34 through the diplexer 32. The high band switching circuitry 38is adapted to couple one of a second plurality of RF front end ports 42to the antenna 34 through the diplexer 32. The diplexer 32 includes alow band port 44 coupled to the low band switching circuitry 36, a highband port 46 coupled to the high band switching circuitry 38, and anantenna port 48 coupled to the antenna 34. The diplexer 32 is adapted topass high band signals falling within a high pass band between the highband port 46 and the antenna port 48, pass low band signals fallingwithin a low pass band between the low band port 44 and the antenna port48, and attenuate signals outside of the high and low pass bands.Although effective at selectively placing the antenna 34 incommunication with the appropriate RF front end port, the conventionalfront end circuitry 28 shown in FIG. 3 is not suitable for carrieraggregation applications that require multiple antennas.

FIG. 4 shows conventional front end circuitry 50 for use in a mobileterminal with two antennas. The front end circuitry 50 includes antennaswitching circuitry 52, a first diplexer 54A, a second diplexer 54B, afirst antenna 56A, and a second antenna 56B. The antenna switchingcircuitry 52 includes first antenna switching circuitry 52A and secondantenna switching circuitry 52B. The first antenna switching circuitry52A includes first low band switching circuitry 58, first high bandswitching circuitry 60, second low band switching circuitry 62, andsecond high band switching circuitry 64. The first low band switchingcircuitry 58 and the first high band switching circuitry 60 are adaptedto selectively couple one of a first plurality of RF front end ports 66to the second antenna switching circuitry 52B through the first diplexer54A. The second low band switching circuitry 62 and the second high bandswitching circuitry 64 are adapted to selectively couple one of a secondplurality of RF front end ports 68 to the second antenna switchingcircuitry 52B through the second diplexer 54B. The second antennaswitching circuitry 52B includes antenna selection circuitry 70, whichis adapted to selectively place the first antenna 56A and the secondantenna 56B in communication with either the first diplexer 54A or thesecond diplexer 54B.

The antenna switching circuitry 52 may comprise a plurality oftransistors and other assorted passive components. As is well known inthe art, non-linearity of the transistors and other passive componentswithin the antenna switching circuitry 52 may generate harmonicdistortion about a passing signal. In certain carrier aggregationconfigurations, the generated harmonic distortion can causedesensitization of receive circuitry in the conventional front endcircuitry 50 illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, the conventional frontend circuitry 50 may experience problems in a carrier aggregationconfiguration using bands 3 and 8 (CA 3-8). In a CA 3-8 configuration,the conventional front end circuitry 50 will couple one of the secondplurality of RF front end ports 68 corresponding with the band 8transmit port to the antenna selection circuitry 70 in order to transmita carrier signal between 880-915 MHz. As the carrier signal passesthrough the first low band switching circuitry 58, harmonic distortionis generated. The carrier signal and harmonic distortion travel throughthe first diplexer 54A, where the harmonic distortion is effectivelyfiltered. However, as the carrier signal travels through the antennaselection circuitry 70, additional harmonic distortion is generated.

Because at least a portion of the second harmonic of the band 8 uplinkband (1760-1830 MHz) falls within the band 3 downlink band (1805-1880MHz), components of the harmonic distortion about the second harmonicare within the high pass band of the first diplexer 54A, and a portionof the harmonic distortion will be delivered to the first high bandswitching circuitry 60. Further, because the front end circuitry 50 isconfigured to simultaneously transmit on band 8 and receive on band 3,one of the first plurality of RF front end ports 66 corresponding withthe band 3 receive port will be coupled to the first diplexer 54Athrough the first high band switching circuitry 60. Accordingly, aportion of the distorted band 8 transmit signal about the secondharmonic will be delivered to the band 3 receive circuitry, where itwill cause desensitization. Additionally, the harmonic distortion in thecarrier signal will be presented to the antennas 56A and 56B, therebydegrading the quality of the wireless signal. As a result of thedesensitization of the receiver circuitry, the performance of the frontend circuitry 50 illustrated in FIG. 4 may suffer in a CA 3-8configuration.

As an additional example, the conventional front end circuitry 50 willalso experience problems in carrier-aggregation applications using bands4 and 17 (CA 4-17), because the third harmonic of a band 17 transmitsignal (2112-2148 MHz) falls within a band 4 receive signal (2110-2155MHz). The problem with the conventional front end circuitry 50 may occurin any carrier aggregation configuration using operating bands in whichthe harmonic components of the carrier signal fall within the frequencyband of the receive signal. The limited combination of operating bandsusable in a carrier aggregation configuration by the conventional frontend circuitry 50 illustrated in FIG. 4 may impede the performance andversatility of a mobile device. Accordingly, front end switchingcircuitry for a mobile device with two or more antennas is needed thatis suitable for carrier aggregation applications across all bands.

FIG. 5 shows a conventional diplexer 72 for use in the front endcircuitry 28 and 50 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The conventional diplexer 72is based on a fourth order Butterworth response, and includes an antennaport 74, a low band port 76, a high band port 78, a high pass filter 80,and a low pass filter 82. The high pass filter 80 includes a first highband inductor L1_HB coupled between the high band port 78 and ground, afirst high band capacitor C1_HB coupled between the high band port 78and a first high band node 81, a second high band inductor L2_HB coupledbetween the first high band node 81 and ground, and a second high bandcapacitor C2_HB coupled between the first high band node 81 and theantenna port 74. The low pass filter 82 includes a first low bandcapacitor C1_LB coupled between the low band port 76 and ground, a firstlow band inductor L1_LB coupled between the low band port 76 and a firstlow band node 83, a second low band capacitor C2_LB coupled between thefirst low band node 83 and ground, and a second low band inductor L2_LBcoupled between the first low band node 83 and the antenna port 74. Theconventional diplexer 72 is designed to pass high band signals fallingwithin a high pass band between the antenna port 74 and the high bandport 78, pass low band signals falling within a low pass band betweenthe antenna port 74 and the low band port 76, and attenuate signalsoutside of the high and low pass bands.

The conventional diplexer 72 allows a mobile terminal to transmit andreceive a high band signal and a low band signal simultaneously, therebyincreasing the data rate of the mobile device. Although effective atseparating low and high band signals, the conventional diplexer 72 islimited to fixed pass bands for the low and high band signals. Incertain carrier aggregation applications, the rigidity of theconventional diplexer 72 may degrade the performance of a mobile deviceinto which it is incorporated. Carrier aggregation applications maydemand more precise control over the high and low pass bands, greaterstop band attenuation, and lower insertion loss. To achieve the desiredpass and stop bands, a seventh or eighth order Butterworth response maybe required according to the conventional design. Such a high orderfilter would be complex to implement, and would further introduce a highamount of insertion loss into the signal path to the antenna.Accordingly, a diplexer is needed that is capable of providing thenecessary pass bands for the high band and low band signals whilemaintaining a desirable stop band attenuation and insertion loss forcarrier aggregation applications.

SUMMARY

Radio frequency front end circuitry comprises a first antenna port, asecond antenna port, antenna switching circuitry, a first diplexer, anda second diplexer. The antenna switching circuitry is coupled to each ofthe first antenna port and the second antenna port through the firstdiplexer and the second diplexer, respectively. The antenna switchingcircuitry is adapted to selectively couple one or more of a plurality ofRF front end ports ports to the first antenna port through the firstdiplexer, the second antenna port through the second diplexer, or both.

According to one embodiment, no further circuitry for selectivelycoupling one or more of the plurality of RF front end ports to the firstantenna port and the second antenna port exists in the signal pathbetween the first diplexer and the first antenna or the second diplexerand the second antenna.

According to an additional embodiment, the first diplexer and the seconddiplexer are tunable.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the presentdisclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments inassociation with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part ofthis specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a table showing a number of wireless communications bandswithin the wireless spectrum.

FIGS. 2A-2D are diagrams showing a variety of carrier aggregationconfigurations for use in a mobile terminal.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of conventional front end switchingcircuitry.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of conventional front end switchingcircuitry for use with two antennas.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a conventional diplexer.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of front end circuitry according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of front end switching circuitryaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an additional embodiment offront end switching circuitry according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an additional embodiment offront end switching circuitry according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of a tunable diplexer according tothe present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an additional embodiment of atunable diplexer according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of an integrated tunable diplexeraccording to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments andillustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawing figures,those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosureand will recognize applications of these concepts not particularlyaddressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts andapplications fall within the scope of the disclosure and theaccompanying claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items.

Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or“horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationshipof one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region asillustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms andthose discussed above are intended to encompass different orientationsof the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It willbe further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted ashaving a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context ofthis specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted inan idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a first embodiment of antenna switching circuitry84 is incorporated into a mobile terminal front end 86. The basicarchitecture of the mobile terminal front end 86 includes transceivercircuitry 88, a plurality of power amplifiers 90A-90N, a plurality oflow noise amplifiers 92A-92N, duplexer circuitry 93, antenna switchingcircuitry 84, a first diplexer 94A, a second diplexer 94B, first antennatuning circuitry 96A, second antenna tuning circuitry 96B, a firstantenna 98A, a second antenna 98B, and control circuitry 100. Whenreceiving a signal, the mobile terminal front end 86 receivesinformation bearing radio frequency signals at the first antenna 98A andthe second antenna 98B from one or more remote transmitters provided bya base station (not shown). The radio frequency signals pass through theantenna tuning circuitry 96 to the diplexers 94, where the signals areseparated into their low band and high band components and delivered tothe antenna switching circuitry 84. The antenna switching circuitry 84selectively couples one or more terminals of the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both, to one or more of the plurality of lownoise amplifiers 92A-92N through the duplexer circuitry 93. One or moreof the plurality of low noise amplifiers 92A-92N amplify the receivedcomponents of the radio frequency signals and deliver them to thetransceiver circuitry 88, where they may be subsequently processed andused by the mobile terminal front end 86.

On the transmit side, the transceiver circuitry 88 receives digitizeddata, which may represent voice, data, or control information. Theencoded data is modulated to produce a carrier signal at a desiredtransmit frequency. The carrier signal is then delivered to one or moreof the plurality of power amplifiers 90A-90N, where it is amplified anddelivered to the antenna switching circuitry 84 through the duplexercircuitry 93. The antenna switching circuitry 84 selectively couples oneor more output terminals of the duplexer circuitry 93 to one or moreterminals of the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B, or both,depending on the mode of operation of the mobile terminal front end 86.The carrier signal is then filtered by the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both, and delivered through the antenna tuningcircuitry 96 to the first antenna 98A, the second antenna 98B, or both,depending on the mode of operation of the mobile terminal front end 86.

By arranging the antenna switching circuitry 84 such that a diplexerexists between each one of the antennas 98 and the antenna switchingcircuitry 84, harmonics of the carrier signal are filtered by thediplexers, thereby avoiding the desensitization of receive circuitrywithin the transceiver circuitry 88. For example, the antenna switchingcircuitry 84 illustrated in FIG. 6 is usable in a carrier aggregationconfiguration using bands 3 and 8 (CA 3-8). When transmitting on band 8,the transceiver circuitry 88 will modulate a carrier signal from 880-915MHz. The carrier signal will pass through one or more of the pluralityof power amplifiers 90A-90N, where it will be amplified and delivered tothe antenna switching circuitry 84. The antenna switching circuitry 84will selectively place the carrier signal into communication with thefirst diplexer 94A or the second diplexer 94B. Due to non-linearity ofthe switching components, the antenna switching circuitry 84 willgenerate harmonic distortion about the carrier signal. As the carriersignal is passed through either the first diplexer 94A, the seconddiplexer 94B, or both, the harmonic distortion is effectively filtered.Accordingly, the signal at the output of the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both does not fall within high pass band of eachone of the diplexers 94, and therefore is not passed back to the antennaswitching circuitry 84. Accordingly, desensitization of the receivecircuitry for band 3 is avoided, and the signal passed to the firstantenna 98A, the second antenna 98B, or both, is virtually free ofharmonic distortion as a result of the antenna switching circuitry 84. Asimilar result occurs in carrier aggregation configurations using bands4 and 17 (CA 4-17), in devices simultaneously using band 13 and the GPSband, in devices simultaneously using band 26 and the 2.4 GHz ISM band,and in devices using GSM900 and GSM850 modes, as well as any othercombination of operating bands.

According to one embodiment, the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, or both may be tunable. By using tunable diplexers for the firstdiplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B, or both, harmonic signals aboutthe carrier signal may be further reduced or eliminated. For example, bytuning a stop band in the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B,or both, to attenuate harmonic signals about the carrier signal,desensitization of the receive circuitry within the transceivercircuitry 88 may be further avoided, as will be discussed in furtherdetail below. Additionally, the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, or both, may be tuned to minimize insertion loss in the signal pathof the antennas 98, as will be discussed in further detail below.

The control circuitry 100 may be in communication with the antennaswitching circuitry 84, the transceiver circuitry 88, the diplexers 94,and the antenna tuning circuitry 96 in order to control one or moreoperating parameters of the mobile terminal front end 86. For example,the control circuitry 100 may be adapted to place the mobile terminalfront end 86 into a diversity mode of operation, wherein the mobileterminal front end 86 is adapted to transmit and receive signals on thefirst antenna 98A while using the second antenna 98B as a diversityantenna. The control circuitry 100 may also be adapted to place themobile terminal front end 86 into a multiple input multiple output(MIMO) mode of operation, whereby different signals are transmitted andreceived by the first antenna 98A and the second antenna 98Bsimultaneously. The control circuitry 100 may be further adapted tocontrol one or more operating parameters of the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both. For example, the control circuitry 100 maybe adapted to operate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B,or both, such that harmonic distortion about the carrier signal isattenuated. Alternatively, the control circuitry 100 may be adapted tooperate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B, or both, suchthat insertion loss from the diplexers 94 is reduced.

The antenna tuning circuitry 96 may be configured to ensure optimaloperation of the antennas 98 over a wide bandwidth. Although the antennatuning circuitry 96 may contain one or more switching elements, theseswitching elements are not adapted to selectively couple the antennas 98to one of a plurality of RF front end ports within the mobile terminalfront end 86.

The duplexer circuitry 93 may be adapted to separate transmit andreceive signals such that transmit signals are passed from the poweramplifier circuitry 90A-90N to the antenna switching circuitry 84, andreceive signals are passed form the antenna switching circuitry 84 tothe appropriate low noise amplifier in the plurality of low noiseamplifiers 92A-92N. The duplexer circuitry 93 may comprise a pluralityof surface acoustic wave (SAW) duplexers, a plurality of bulk acousticwave (BAW) duplexers, or the like.

According to one embodiment, the antenna switching circuitry 84 isadapted to perform antenna swapping while introducing minimal distortioninto a transmit or receive signal. For example, the antenna switchingcircuitry 84 may be adapted to selectively place one or more of thepower amplifiers 90A-90N in communication with either the first antenna98A or the second antenna 98B based upon an efficiency associated witheach antenna. The efficiency may be based, for example, on electricalmeasurements and/or environmental conditions. Examples of electricalmeasurements include a reflected transmit power measured by one or moredirectional couplers, a received signal strength measurement, or atransmit power measured by a base station. Examples of environmentalconditions include feedback from one or more sensors to detect theorientation of the mobile device and feedback from sensors that detecthow the mobile device is being held.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic representation of the antenna switchingcircuitry 84 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Forcontext, the control circuitry 100, the first diplexer 94A, the seconddiplexer 94B, the first antenna 98A, and the second antenna 98B are alsoshown. The antenna switching circuitry 84 includes low band switchingcircuitry 102, first high band switching circuitry 104, second high bandswitching circuitry 106, a plurality of RF front end ports 108, and aplurality of antenna selection switches 110. The low band switchingcircuitry 102, the first high band switching circuitry 104, and thesecond high band switching circuitry 106 may comprise single pole multithrow (SPMT) switches adapted to selectively couple one or more of theRF front end ports 108 to one of the plurality of antenna selectionswitches 110. Each one of the plurality of antenna selection switches110 may comprise a single pole dual throw (SPDT) switch adapted toselectively couple one of the RF front end ports 108 to either the firstantenna 98A through the first diplexer 94A or the second antenna 98Bthrough the second diplexer 94B.

According to one embodiment, one or more of the antenna selectionswitches 110 may be directly coupled to one of the plurality of RF frontend ports, such as the RF front end ports 112A-112C shown in FIG. 7. TheRF front end ports 112A-112C may be coupled to further switchingcircuitry (not shown) in order to implement additional functionality ofthe mobile terminal front end 86 (shown in FIG. 6), such as, forexample, a diversity or a MIMO mode of operation.

Although 19 RF front end ports are shown in FIG. 7, any number of RFfront end ports may be used according to the present disclosure. Furtherswitching circuitry for selectively coupling the additional RF front endports to the antennas 98 or for otherwise supporting additional modes ofoperation may also be included without departing from the principles ofthe present disclosure. For example, additional high band or low bandswitching circuitry may be added in order to support extra bands.

According to one embodiment, each one of the switches in the antennaswitching circuitry 84 is coupled to the control circuitry 100 such thatthe control system determines the connection path of each one of theswitches.

According to an additional embodiment, the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both are tunable, as will be discussed infurther detail below. The control circuitry 100 may be coupled to eachone of the diplexers 94 in order to alter one or more operatingparameters of the diplexers 94. For example, the control circuitry 100may be adapted to operate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, or both, such that harmonic distortion about the carrier signal isattenuated. Alternatively, the control circuitry 100 may be adapted tooperate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B, or both, suchthat insertion loss from the diplexers 94 is reduced.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of the antenna switchingcircuitry 84 according to an additional embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For context, the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, the first antenna 98A, and the second antenna 98B are also shown.The antenna switching circuitry 84 includes low band switching circuitry114, high band switching circuitry 116, low band antenna selectioncircuitry 118A, and high band antenna selection circuitry 118B. The lowband switching circuitry 114 and the high band switching circuitry 116may comprise SPMT switches adapted to selectively couple one or more ofthe RF front end ports 108 to the low band antenna selection circuitry118A or the high band antenna selection circuitry 118B, respectively.The low band antenna selection circuitry 118A and the high band antennaselection circuitry 118B may comprise a dual pole four throw (DP4T)switch adapted to selectively couple one of the RF front end ports 108to either the first antenna 98A through the first diplexer 94A or thesecond antenna 98B through the second diplexer 94B.

According to one embodiment, one or more of the antenna selectionswitches 110 may be directly coupled to one of the RF front end ports108, such as the RF front end ports 120A-120C shown in FIG. 8. The RFfront end ports 120A-120C may be coupled to further switching circuitry(not shown) in order to implement additional functionality of the mobileterminal front end 86 (shown in FIG. 6), such as, for example, adiversity or a MIMO mode of operation.

By arranging the antenna switching circuitry 84 such that a diplexerexists between each one of the antennas 98 and the antenna switchingcircuitry 84, harmonics about the carrier signal are filtered by thediplexers, thereby avoiding the desensitization of receive circuitrywithin the transceiver circuitry 88 (shown in FIG. 6), as is discussedabove.

Although 17 RF front end ports are shown in FIG. 8, any number of RFfront end ports may be used according to the present disclosure. Furtherantenna switching circuitry for selectively coupling the additional RFfront end ports to the antennas 98 or for otherwise supportingadditional modes of operation may also be included without departingfrom the principles of the present disclosure. For example, additionalhigh band or low band switching circuitry may be added in order tosupport extra bands

According to one embodiment, each one of the switches in the antennaswitching circuitry 84 is coupled to the control circuitry 100 such thatthe control system determines the connection path of each one of theswitches.

According to an additional embodiment, the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both, are tunable, as will be discussed infurther detail below. The control circuitry 100 may be coupled to eachone of the diplexers 94 in order to alter one or more operatingparameters of the diplexers 94. For example, the control circuitry maybe adapted to operate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B,or both, such that harmonic distortion about the carrier signal isattenuated. Alternatively, the control circuitry 100 may be adapted tooperate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B, or both, suchthat insertion loss from the diplexers 94 is reduced.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic representation of the antenna switchingcircuitry 84 according to an additional embodiment of the presentdisclosure. For context, the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, the first antenna 98A, and the second antenna 98B are also shown.The antenna switching circuitry 84 of FIG. 9 is adapted to operate threeantennas 98. Accordingly, a third antenna 98C is shown. The antennaswitching circuitry 84 is substantially similar to that described inFIG. 8, with the addition of third antenna selection circuitry 124 foroperating the mobile terminal front end 86 (shown in FIG. 6) with threeantennas 98. The third antenna selection circuitry 124 may comprise adual pole multiple throw (DPMT) switch adapted to selectively place oneof the plurality of RF front end ports 108 in communication with thethird antenna 98C and the high band antenna selection circuitry 118B.The third antenna selection circuitry 124 may be coupled to the controlcircuitry 100 such that the control circuitry 100 determines theselected RF front end port to present to the third antenna 98C and thehigh band antenna selection circuitry 118B. By arranging the antennaswitching circuitry 84 such that a diplexer exists between each one ofthe antennas 98 and the antenna switching circuitry 84, thedesensitization of receive circuitry within the transceiver circuitry 88(shown in FIG. 6) can be avoided in carrier aggregation applicationsacross all bands, as discussed above.

Although 24 RF front end ports are shown in FIG. 9, any number of RFfront end ports may be used according to the present disclosure. Furtherswitching circuitry for selectively coupling the additional RF front endports to the antennas 98 or for otherwise supporting additional modes ofoperation may also be included without departing from the principles ofthe present disclosure. For example, additional high band or low bandswitching circuitry may be added in order to support extra bands.

According to one embodiment, each one of the switches in the antennaswitching circuitry 84 is coupled to the control circuitry 100 such thatthe control system determines the connection path of each one of theswitches.

According to an additional embodiment, the first diplexer 94A, thesecond diplexer 94B, or both are tunable, as will be discussed infurther detail below. The control circuitry 100 may be coupled to eachone of the diplexers 94 in order to alter one or more operatingparameters of the diplexers 94. For example, the control circuitry maybe adapted to operate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B,or both, such that harmonic distortion about the carrier signal isattenuated. Alternatively, the control circuitry 100 may be adapted tooperate the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer 94B, or both, suchthat insertion loss from the diplexers 94 is reduced.

According to an additional embodiment, the antenna switching circuitry84 may further include a plurality of directional couplers 122A-122F inorder to direct the flow of RF signals between the antenna switchingcircuitry 84 and the antennas 98. The plurality of directional couplers122 may be connected between each port of the first diplexer 94A and theantenna switching circuitry 84, between each port of the second diplexer94B and antenna switching circuitry 84, and between the third antenna98C and the antenna switching circuitry 84. Each one of the plurality ofdirectional couplers 122 may be connected to the control circuitry 100such that the control circuitry 100 determines the direction of thesignal flow through each one of the plurality of directional couplers122.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic representation of a tunable diplexer 126according to the present disclosure. The tunable diplexer 126 is basedat least in part on an elliptical response, and includes a high passfilter 128, a low pass filter 130, a high band port 132, a low band port134, and an antenna port 136. The high pass filter 128 includes a firsthigh band inductor L1_HB coupled between the high band port 132 andground, a first high band capacitor C1_HB coupled between the high bandport 132 and a first high band node 138, a second high band inductorL2_HB coupled between the first high band node 138 and ground, a secondhigh band capacitor C2_HB coupled between the first high band node 138and the antenna port 136, and a third high band inductor L3_HB coupledbetween the high band port 132 and the first high band node 138. The lowpass filter includes a first low band capacitor C1_LB coupled betweenthe low band port 134 and ground, a first low band inductor L1_LBcoupled between the low band port 134 and a first low band node 140, asecond low band capacitor C2_LB coupled between the first low band node140 and ground, a second low band inductor L2_LB coupled between thefirst low band node 140 and the antenna port 136, and a third low bandcapacitor C3_LB coupled between the low band port 134 and the first lowband node 140.

The tunable diplexer 126 is adapted to pass high band signals fallingwithin a high pass band between the antenna port 136 and the high bandport 132, pass low band signals within a low pass band between theantenna port 136 and the low band port 134, and attenuate signalsoutside of the high and low pass bands. The tunable diplexer 126includes a tunable low stop band zero that is controllable by adjustingthe capacitance of the third low band capacitor C3_LB. In one mode ofoperation, the tunable diplexer 126 is adjusted to selectively attenuatesignals passing through the tunable diplexer 126. The selectiveattenuation of signals may be especially useful in certain carrieraggregation applications.

As an example, in a carrier aggregation configuration using bands 8 and3 (CA 8-3), the tunable low stop band zero can be tuned to the thirdharmonic of the band 8 transmit signal in order to ensure that anyharmonic distortion generated by the antenna switching circuitry willnot desensitize the receiver circuitry. Such a tuning configuration maybe useful in both carrier aggregation and non-carrier aggregationconfigurations wherein harmonic distortion generated about atransmission signal may desensitize the receive circuitry or otherwiseinterfere with the functionality of the device. For example, tuning thelow stop band zero to attenuate harmonic distortion may be useful incarrier aggregation configurations using bands 4 and 17 (CA 4-17), indevices simultaneously using band 13 and the GPS band, in devicessimultaneously using band 26 and the 2.4 GHz ISM band, and in devicesusing GSM900 and GSM850 modes. By tuning the low stop band zero toattenuate troublesome harmonic signals, the tunable diplexer 126 mayprevent desensitization of receiver circuitry within a mobile device,and allow for greater flexibility in the operation of the device.

In an additional mode of operation of the tunable diplexer 126, thetunable diplexer 126 may be adapted to minimize insertion loss at theactive transmit or receive frequencies. For example, the low stop bandzero may be tuned to minimize insertion loss in a non-carrieraggregation configuration, or in a carrier aggregation configuration inwhich there are no concerns regarding harmonic distortion anddesensitization of the receive circuitry.

According to one embodiment, the control circuitry 100 is incommunication with the third low band capacitor C3_LB in order tocontrol the variable capacitance value of the capacitor. The controlcircuitry 100 may be adapted to place the tunable diplexer 126 in a modeof operation to minimize problematic harmonics. The control circuitry100 may also be adapted to place the tunable diplexer 126 in a mode ofoperation to minimize insertion loss.

According to one embodiment, the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, or both (shown in FIGS. 6-9) comprise the tunable diplexer 126illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic representation of an additional embodiment ofa tunable diplexer 142 according to the present disclosure. For context,the control circuitry 100 is also shown. The tunable diplexer 142 shownin FIG. 11 is substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 10, furtherincluding a programmable array of capacitors (PAC) 144 for tuning thelow stop band zero. Although three capacitors are shown in the PAC 144,any number of capacitors may be used to tune the low stop band zeroaccording to the present disclosure. The PAC 144 may include a firsttuning capacitor C1_TN, a second tuning capacitor C2_TN, and a thirdtuning capacitor C3_TN. Each of the capacitors may be coupled in serieswith a switch SW1-SW3. Further, each one of the capacitors and switchesmay be coupled in parallel with the third low band capacitor C3_LB. Byselectively turning the switches SW1-SW3 on and off, the capacitancebetween the low band port 134 and the first low band node 140 can bealtered. Accordingly, the low stop band zero can be tuned according tothe mode of operation of the tunable diplexer 142.

Although FIG. 11 shows a PAC 144 for tuning the low stop band zero, anylow band filter circuit topology including any tunable component with afilter response including a tunable zero may be used in the tunablediplexer 142, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart.

According to one embodiment, the control circuitry 100 is incommunication with the PAC 144 in order to control the orientation ofthe switches SW1-SW3. The control circuitry 100 may be adapted to placethe tunable diplexer 142 in a mode of operation to minimize problematicharmonics. The control circuitry 100 may also be adapted to place thetunable diplexer 142 in a mode of operation to minimize insertion loss.

According to one embodiment, the first diplexer 94A, the second diplexer94B, or both (shown in FIGS. 6-9) comprise the tunable diplexer 126illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of an integrated tunablediplexer 146 according to the present disclosure. The integrated tunablediplexer 146 includes the tunable diplexer 142 including an antenna port148, a high band port 150, and a low band port 152, high band switchingcircuitry 154, a plurality of high band RF front end ports 156, low bandswitching circuitry 158, a plurality of low band switching ports 160,and an antenna 162. As discussed above, the tunable diplexer 142 isadapted to route high band signals falling within a high pass bandbetween the high band switching circuitry 154 and the antenna 162, routelow band signals falling within a low pass band between the low bandswitching circuitry 158 and the antenna 162, and attenuate signalsoutside of the high and low pass bands.

According to one embodiment, the integrated diplexer is formed on asingle semiconductor die. By forming the tunable diplexer 142 and theswitching circuitry on a single semiconductor die, space can be saved ina mobile device into which the integrated tunable diplexer 146 isintegrated. Further, by forming the integrated tunable diplexer 146 on asingle semiconductor die, the high band switching circuitry 154 and thelow band switching circuitry 158 can be used as adjustable tuningelements to alter the performance of the tunable diplexer 142.Generally, the impedance of the unused high band port 150 and the unusedlow band port 152 are terminated by a 50 ohm impedance. However, byadjusting the termination impedance of the high band port 150, the lowband port 152, or both using one or more of the switches in the highband switching circuitry 154, the low band switching circuitry 158, orboth, the high pass band, the low pass band, or both, can be tuned.

For example, by terminating the low band port 152 of the tunablediplexer 142 in an open circuit, the high pass band may be shiftedslightly lower in frequency. Such a shift in frequency may have asignificant impact on the performance and versatility of a mobiledevice. By terminating the low band port 152 of the tunable diplexer 142in an open circuitry and thus shifting the high pass band slightly lowerin frequency, additional operating bands within the mobile spectrum maybe accommodated without the need for additional components. Such anapproach may reduce insertion loss in the signal path of the antenna162, reduce the cost of a mobile device into which the integratedtunable diplexer 146 is incorporated, and increase the functionality andusability of the mobile device.

According to an additional embodiment, the integrated diplexer includesa combination of silicon on insulator (SOI) semiconductor devices andsurface mount devices (SMDs) integrated onto a low temperature co-firedceramic (LTCC) module.

Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modificationsto the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All suchimprovements and modifications are considered within the scope of theconcepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. Radio frequency front end circuitry comprising: afirst antenna port and a second antenna port; front end switchingcircuitry adapted to selectively couple one or more of a plurality of RFfront end ports to the first antenna port and the second antenna port;and a first diplexer coupled between the front end switching circuitryand the first antenna port and a second diplexer coupled between thefront end switching circuitry and the second antenna port.
 2. The radiofrequency front end circuitry of claim 1 wherein the first antenna portis coupled to a first antenna, and the second antenna port is coupled toa second antenna.
 3. The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 2wherein no further circuitry for selectively coupling the first antennaport to one or more of the plurality of RF front end ports existsbetween the first antenna and the first diplexer, and no furthercircuitry for coupling the second antenna port to one or more of theplurality of RF front end ports exists between the second antenna portand the second diplexer.
 4. The radio frequency front end circuitry ofclaim 2 further comprising a plurality of antenna tuning circuits,wherein each one of the plurality of antenna tuning circuits is coupledbetween the first antenna and the first diplexer and the second antennaand the second diplexer.
 5. The radio frequency front end circuitry ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of directional couplers, suchthat a directional coupler is present between each signal path betweenthe front end circuitry and the first diplexer and the front endcircuitry and the second diplexer.
 6. The radio frequency front endcircuitry of claim 1 further comprising control circuitry coupled to thefront end switching circuitry and adapted to control the selectivecoupling of the one or more plurality of RF front end ports to the firstantenna port and the second antenna port.
 7. The radio frequency frontend circuitry of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency front end circuitryis adapted to transmit a wireless signal between about 880-915 MHz andsimultaneously receive a wireless signal between about 1805-1880 MHz. 8.The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 1 wherein the radiofrequency front end circuitry is adapted to transmit a wireless signalbetween about 704-716 MHz and simultaneously receive a wireless signalbetween about 2110-2155 MHz.
 9. The radio frequency front end circuitryof claim 1 further comprising a third antenna port, wherein the frontend switching circuitry is further adapted to selectively couple one ormore of the plurality of RF front end ports to the third antenna port.10. The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 9 wherein the thirdantenna port is coupled to a third antenna.
 11. The radio frequencyfront end circuitry of claim 1 wherein the first diplexer and the seconddiplexer are tunable.
 12. Radio frequency front end circuitrycomprising: transceiver circuitry; a first antenna and a second antenna;front end switching circuitry adapted to selectively couple one or moreof a plurality of RF front end ports to the first antenna and the secondantenna; a first diplexer coupled between the front end switchingcircuitry and the first antenna and a second diplexer coupled betweenthe front end switching circuitry and the second antenna; a plurality ofpower amplifiers coupled between the transceiver circuitry and a firstplurality of the RF front end ports; and a plurality of low noiseamplifiers coupled between the transceiver circuitry and a secondplurality of the RF front end ports.
 13. The radio frequency front endcircuitry of claim 11 wherein the first antenna port is coupled to afirst antenna and the second antenna port is coupled to a secondantenna.
 14. The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 12 whereinno further circuitry for selectively coupling the first antenna to theone or more of the plurality of RF front end ports exists between thefirst antenna and the first diplexer, and no further circuitry forcoupling the second antenna to the one or more of the plurality of RFfront end ports exists between the second antenna and the seconddiplexer.
 15. The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 12further comprising a plurality of antenna tuning circuits, wherein eachone of the plurality of antenna tuning circuits is coupled between thefirst antenna and the first diplexer and the second antenna and thesecond diplexer.
 16. The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 11further comprising a plurality of directional couplers, such that adirectional coupler is present between each signal path between thefront end switching circuitry and the first diplexer and the front endswitching circuitry and the second diplexer.
 17. The radio frequencyfront end circuitry of claim 11 further comprising control circuitrycoupled to the front end switching circuitry and adapted to control theselective coupling of the plurality of RF front end ports to the firstantenna port and the second antenna port.
 18. The radio frequency frontend circuitry of claim 11 wherein the radio frequency front endcircuitry is adapted to transmit a wireless signal between about 880-915MHz and simultaneously receive a wireless signal between about 1805-1880MHz.
 19. The radio frequency front end circuitry of claim 11 wherein theradio frequency front end circuitry is adapted to transmit a wirelesssignal between about 704-716 MHz and simultaneously receive a wirelesssignal between about 2110-2155 MHz.
 20. The radio frequency front endcircuitry of claim 11 further comprising a third antenna port, whereinthe front end switching circuitry is further adapted to selectivelycouple the one or more of the plurality of RF front end ports to thethird antenna port.